International Working Men’s Association
The minutes are in an unknown hand on pp. 29-30 of the Minute Book.
Vice-President Eccarius in the chair.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, were confirmed on the motion of Citizen Le Lubez, seconded by Citizen Marx.
Citizen Cremer gave the report of the Sub-Committee; they recommend to the Central Council the following:
That separate cards be issued to societies forming the Association, such cards to be of a general character stating that the society whose name it bore had affiliated itself to the International Association;
2nd. That all the money subscribed in England for individual cards be sent to the Central Council, but if any branch of the Association shall incur any legitimate expense, the Central Council may, if they deem it judicious, grant a sum for the liquidation of such debt;
3rd. That our Continental brethren be supplied with cards at 1s. each, which sums to be sent to the Central Council.
The [a gap in the Minute Book] were proposed by Citizen Cremer, seconded by Citizen Marx and carried unanimously.
Citizen Le Lubez then read a letter from Paris referring to the rumours that Citizen Tolain was acting under the inspiration of the Palais Royal.[43]
A resolution having been proposed to the effect: That we reluctantly accept Citizen Tolain’s resignation, Citizen Carter proposed and Citizen Wheeler seconded, that Citizen Tolain’s resignation be not accepted as not the slightest belief is entertained in the above-named rumour.
Citizen Carter strongly contended for his motion, and the resolution having been withdrawn, Citizen Carter’s amendment became the resolution and was carried unanimously.
Citizen Marx then proposed and Citizen Wheeler seconded, that Citizen Lefort be appointed as our literary defence in Paris.[44]. Carried unanimously.
The Committee then adjourned to February 14th.
J. G. ECCARIUS, Vice-President
W. CREMER, Honorary General Secretary
The minutes are in an unknown hand on pp. 30-31 of the Minute Book.
President Odger in the chair.
The minutes of the former meeting having been read, were confirmed on the motion of Citizen Fontana, seconded by Citizen Eccarius.
Citizen Marx then stated that a branch of the International Working Men’s Association had been formed in Manchester[45]; he also read a letter from Mr. Ernest Jones on the subject of manhood suffrage.[46]
The letter was fully discussed.
Citizen Marx also read an extract from the German Star[47] which stated that [several words are erased here in the Minute Book and a correction introduced which was confirmed at the next meeting] the Swiss were interesting themselves on behalf of the Association and that a meeting of the Republican League and French Swiss Society had been held; they had accepted the rules and would form branches throughout Switzerland with a central council in Geneva.
(Citizen Le Lubez then read a letter from Paris[48]; he also expressed his regret at having at the last meeting advised the acceptance of Citizen Tolain’s resignation.)
Citizen Weston gave the report of the deputation to the City shoemakers. They had been cordially received and requested to attend the next meeting.
Citizens Jung and Morgan confirmed Citizen Weston’s statement.
It had also been suggested that a deputation be appointed to visit the shoemakers in Shoe Lane on February 27th.
Mr Howell also requested a deputation should wait on the Bricklayers’ Executive.[49] Agreed to.
Citizen Francis also introduced the question of cards of membership which after a long discussion was adjourned.
The meeting then adjourned to February 21st.
J. G. ECCARIUS, Vice-President
W. CREMER, Honorary General Secretary
The minutes are in an unknown hand on pp. 31-33 of the Minute Book.
Vice-President Eccarius in the chair.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, Citizen Le Lubez said that the remark in the minutes which indicated that he had advised Citizen Tolain’s resignation to be accepted was not exactly correct; he might have been a little hasty but he thanked those who had checked him.
Citizen Fox suggested that a slight alteration be made in that part of the minutes which referred to the Republican League in Switzerland.
This having been agreed to, the minutes were confirmed.
The Secretary said he had received a letter from the General Secretary of the Operative Bricklayers [Coulson] stating that the society having subscribed to the principles of the International Working Men’s Association had agreed to join as an affiliated body. Citizen Howell was their representative on the Council.
On the motion of Whitlock, seconded by Citizen Marx, Citizen Le Lubez then read some correspondence from Paris which referred to unpleasant proceedings having taken place there, and as it was generally agreed that it would be difficult to settle the differences by correspondence, it was decided on the proposition of Citizen Whitlock, seconded by Fontana, that Le Lubez be sent to Paris to investigate the differences existing between Citizen Lefort and Citizen Fribourg.
Citizen Marx proposed, Citizen Lessner seconded, that Mr. Schily be appointed to co-operate with Citizen Le Lubez in settling the differences.[50] Carried unanimously. It was also agreed that the delegates be invested with power to act as circumstances may determine.
The Secretary [Cremer] then introduced the question of the suffrage; he also read a letter from Mr. Beales on the question,[51] and it was generally understood that no measure short of manhood suffrage would receive the support of the Council. It was also thought advisable that as many as could should attend the meeting on Thursday.[52]
Citizen Wolff having returned from his incarceration in the fortress of Alessandria was warmly congratulated by the Council, and Citizen Whitlock proposed, Citizen Wheeler seconded, that the Central Council offer its congratulations to Citizen Wolff on his return to liberty. Carried unanimously.
Citizen Wolff said he had been deputed by working men’s societies in Alessandria and Brescia to express their friendly sentiments towards the Council, also that they cordially approved the objects of the Association and hoped soon to enter the bond of fraternal union.
Citizen Fox then introduced the question of the forthcoming Polish demonstration at St. Martin’s Hall and proposed the following resolution:
That the Central Council of the International Working Men’s Association lend their unreserved support to the commemorative meeting for Poland on March Ist at St. Martin’s Hall, and they invite the attendance thereat of their friends. Carried unanimously.[53]
The meeting then adjourned to 28th.
J. G. ECCARIUS, Vice-President
W. CREMER, Honorary General Secretary
The beginning of the minutes is in an unknown hand on p. 33 of the Minute Book.
The President [Odger] in the chair.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, were confirmed on the motion of Citizen Fox, seconded by Eccarius.
Citizen Le Lubez proposed, Citizen Morgan seconded:
That the Operative Bricklayers be admitted as an affiliated body and that Citizen Howell be admitted to the Central Council as its representative. Carried unanimously.
Citizen Jung then gave report from Middle District [further, on pp. 33-34 of the Minute Book, the minutes are in Cremer’s hand] of shoemakers to which he had been deputed to attend.
Citizen Marx read correspondence from Manchester regarding the suffrage[54]; he also stated that he had withdrawn from any connection with the Social-Demokrat.[55]
M. Le Lubez gave in English and French a report of his mission to Paris.
Citizen Fox read Mr. Schily’s letter in English and French.
M. Tolain and M. Fribourg who had come from Paris to give the Central Council an opportunity of questioning them concerning the differences which had sprung up between themselves and M. Lefort, and also to defend the course they had pursued, both addressed the Council, Citizen Fox translating their remarks into English.
A very long discussion took place on the report and the remarks of M. Tolain and M. Fribourg, the discussion being terminated by the adoption of the following resolution, proposed by Citizen Carter, seconded by Citizen Weston:
That the Sub-Committee together with the French members of the Central Council meet and further investigate the differences and if possible ascertain who is right.[56]
The Council then adjourned to March 7th.
J. G. ECCARIUS, President
W. R. CREMER, Honorary General Secretary